A$AP Rocky Biography & News

A$AP Rocky Details

About A$AP Rocky

A$AP Rocky to play the BUKU Music + Art Project

It was roughly this time last year that A$AP Rocky announced on social media that his sophomore album was coming. "SOPHOMORE ALBUM COMING ASAP," he tweeted in all caps. But time went by, and the album, it seemed, had starts and fits but never took off. But now, it looks like things are looking up.

Juicy J has been announced as the executive producer of the upcoming disc, and it seems like an upcoming release is back on track. In fact, A$AP Rocky said during a recent interview with Highsnobiety he's, "really tryin' to influence culture and give people a reason to listen to music and enjoy lifestyle." He also added, "With this type of energy being invested into my music, the possibilities are endless. It's like old times. I feel reckless again. Be ready."

A$AP Rocky also recently appeared at the Sundance Film Festival to promote his acting debut in the film "Dope" and talk about the passing of his friend and co-founder of the ASAP Mob, Steven 'ASAP Yams' Rodriguez. 'Yams' passed away on January 18, and Rocky told Billboard magazine he was devastated by his friend's death.

A$AP Rocky is currently scheduled to headline the BUKU Music + Art Project 2015 music festival in New Orleans on March 13th and 14th. The festival will also feature Bassnectar, Ghostface Killah, Die Antwoord, Lil B, Portor Robinson, TV on the Radio, Run the Jewels and more. Rocky will also play the Wireless Festival 2015 lineup in the United Kingdom in July.

Rocky and the ASAP Mob roll out "Hella Hoes"

Last November, the ASAP Mob announced plans to release their full-length debut album, "L.O.R.D." Fast forward more than eight months, and no official release date has been announced yet. However, there's one big sign of progress as it relates to the new project.

In early June, ASAP Rocky, Ferg, Nast and Twelvyy rolled out a brand new track called "Hella Hoes." The ASAP Mob cohorts came together on the Nyrell-produced track as just a taste of what their new album might sound like – yet all four take turns at the mic on the collaborative track (their first since releasing "Xscape" back in April). While there is no real standout among the talent, the lyrics do contain shoutouts to the likes of 50 Cent and Janet Jackson.

Rocky himself has a brand new album in the works, which will be the sophomore effort. The New York rapper actually took to his Twitter account the make the announcement, which read "SOPHOMORE ALBUM COMING ASAP," with a link to his Instagram account. Though no other details have been released, it's likely the album will drop before the end of the year.

One member of the Mob, A$AP Yams, has been talking up Rocky's new album for weeks. In a recent interview with Montreality, Yams noted the new disc was "crazy," and promised a hot summer. He even went as far as to say Rocky's new music was beyond exceptional and noted, "We're going to give the fans what they want. I mean none of that water[ed] down commercial s&mdasht."

Social media makes a name for A$AP Rocky (Updated January 9, 2013)

'Social media savvy' is how one might describe Rakim Mayers, better known by his stage name A$AP Rocky. With a career born through message board posts, YouTube videos and a Tumblr account, he went from a relative unknown to the most-hyped rapper on the Internet.

Born and raised in the New York City neighborhood of Harlem, Mayers struggled through his teen years. When he was 12 years old, his father went to jail. A year later his older brother was killed, and Mayers eventually moved from a shelter in Manhattan to a home in Elmwood Park, New Jersey. He aspired to be like Harlem-based rap group The Diplomats, and lists Wu-Tang Clan, Run DMC and Bone Thugs-n-Harmony among his many influences.

By 2007, Mayers had adopted his stage name and assembled the hip-hop crew A$AP Mob, a group of rappers, producers and directors. His career snowballed in 2011, when his first single "Peso" was leaked online that August. Within weeks it received airplay on New York radio stations, and ultimately resulted in a $3 million contract with Sony, RCA Records and Polo Grounds Music. He also released a mixtape, "LiveLoveA$AP" two months later, then spent part of 2012 as the opening act for Drake's Club Paradise Tour.

In December 2012 Mayers pleaded guilty to attempted grand larceny in regard to a July fight between the rapper and two amateur photographers. Mayers was accused of attacking two men for taking pictures of him while he was yelling at another person. He was also accused of grabbing a camera during the incident, and also faced counts of attempted robbery and assault, but those charges were dropped in exchange for the guilty plea.

A$AP Rocky's studio debut will be released on January 15, 2013. He will promote the project with a 40-date national tour, with opening acts Schoolboy Q, Danny Brown, and A$AP Mob.